Lisa McHugh says Nathan is a great dad and they’re looking forward to growing their family

Lisa McHugh has said “The time has totally flown along compared to the first time” as she and her husband Nathan prepare to become second time parents.

The couple, who are already mum and dad to three-year-old Milo, will welcome their second bundle of joy next month and Lisa said Nathan was “overwhelmed” by the happy news.

The country music superstar hasn’t had it easy with this pregnancy, but she has released a new EP and she is looking forward to her biggest gig yet later this year.

Read more: Nathan Carter talks new beginnings at home in Fermanagh: ‘I wanted to make some changes’

Read more: Cliona Hagan says the pressure is insane and it’s a big financial undertaking for her first sun trip

Lisa told RSVP Country: “It has been a very fast few months, I can’t believe we’re this far already.

“The time has totally flown along compared to the first time. The baby is due in August, so I am over seven months now.”

Lisa has suffered with illness during this pregnancy.

She said: “I had a great pregnancy with Milo. But the last few weeks have been tough with chest infections, pleurisy and Covid.

“I’m struggling a bit, it’s hard to shift them. I’m not feeling too great on that side of things. Pregnancy wise, everything has been great so far.”

Being sick has added an extra level of apprehension during this precarious time for Lisa and Nathan.

The country music star said: “It makes it a bit harder when you’ve a two year old running around and you’re trying to rest up and get better. You’ve to look after yourself, look after the baby you’re growing and look after the one that’s running around in front of you.

“I’m very lucky to have help around me and I try to rest up whenever I can. I’m trying to push through.

“Being unwell isn’t pleasant at the best of times, but it’s harder when you’re pregnant as well. It’s an added pressure. At the same time, it’s not a pressure that’s impossible.”

Last month marked two years since she and Nathan tied the knot in a stunning Donegal wedding.

Lisa said: “The time has absolutely flown by. We’ve had a busy couple of years personally and professionally.

“Every day I say to myself how fortunate we are to be in a happy, healthy and supportive relationship. Nathan is a great dad and we’re looking forward to growing our family with baby number two this summer.”

How did he react to the baby news? “He was absolutely overwhelmed. This is something that he wanted for a long time as well.

“He was keen to have a family and to have a sibling for Milo. If we’re lucky enough to have more, who knows? It’s a dream come true for us to be so fortunate and for things to go so well.”

Lisa has released a new EP.

She said: “We recorded it live acoustically in Black Mountain Studios. It features songs from my Watch Me album along with some surprises and video content in there as well.

“It was fun to make a raw and stripped back recording. It was the first time I’ve got to do that.”

Lisa will take to the stage in Ulster Hall in November, and she is really looking forward to it.

She said: “Yes! I can’t wait, this will be the first time I’ve headlined a show there. This will also be my biggest headline show to date.

“We’d been talking about it for a while and I was nervous about putting the tickets on sale. My fans have always been very supportive, but this was a substantial jump in size from the venues I’ve done previously.

“I wanted to go for it and I can’t believe the amount of tickets we’ve sold already. It’s going to be a very special and emotional night, especially because it will be my first one back after having my second baby.”

Swipe across below to see the full gallery of images for yourself

Lisa has been writing and working in Nashville.

She said: “It was amazing. I fall in love with it over and over again, everytime I go back. It’s such an inspiring place.

“I try to be a sponge as much as I can and I try to throw myself into the depths of musicianship and writership, not just country music. The biggest names in the world go to Nashville and I always try to make the most of my time when I’m there.

“It’s great to meet and be in the same room as influential people from the business who’ve been successful.”

Lisa got to do some sightseeing and she loves to see what has changed.

She said: “The last time I was there was 2018, so it was quite a stretch between the two tips. A lot has changed, it has become a lot more commercial and there are lots of new buildings popping up everywhere.

“The big names are opening bars and honky tonks all over Broadway. The city is constantly changing. I’ve been to the Grand Ole Opry and I’ve been to the well-known hotspots.”

Black Mountain Sessions is available to buy and stream now

Read the full interview and see all the fabulous pictures in this issue of RSVP Country – on shelves now

Get the latest country music news, interviews and pictures straight to your phone by joining our exclusive Facebook page – here